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I was poking around Tim's site when I found the following:
http://www.hondacuraworld.com/bulle...X/SNB001103.pdf
The first paragraph reads..."The MDX Owner's Manual trailer towing recommendation has been changed: Both the transmission and power steering fluid coolers are required anytime the vehicle is used for towing. So anytime you install a hitch you should also install both coolers."
The document is a Service & Parts Bulletin SN B001103 - Trailer Towing With The MDX
Forgive me if this has been brought up before, or discussed in one of the hitch threads, I had not seen it. Thought it could end up being a warranty issue for some of the folks out there looking to perform some simple towing... look out Crem. |
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Thanks for the heads-up.
My trailer use is infrequent at best; I just use my trailer for light-weight, short trips to the dump or the Mega-hardware store and what-not. I think they would be hard-pressed to raise any warrantee issues over it. Maybe I'll keep a usage log, just to be on the safe side.
But since I will have my hitch on before Acura corporate puts an owners' manual update into my hands, I will have the upper hand in any after-the-fact arguement. If they want to change the rules after they sell me the truck, they will need to add the coolers for free. That's the way I see it, anyhow. |
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I certainly can't argue your logic Crem. I thinks it's a bit much to require the coolers for a hitch thats going be used for extremely light duty, such as your intentions or hauling bikes. I would like to install a hitch to add a bike carrier that would allow me to get into the back of the truck, without having to remove the bikes and carrier. I've seen them before, and they are rather nice and high quality. For such an application, why would I need the coolers?
If the coolers are required, they should have been part of the truck in the first place! Should we now be concerned when hauling 7 adults??? |
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Owners Manual Update?!
Acura can't modify the owners manual to match the vehicle. At least that was my position.
My owners manual stated that a cooler was ONLY required for more than 2500 lbs.
Acura tried to tell me it was changed. And that they were attempting to retroactively change the specifications of the product they sold me....
I got Acura to pay for the coolers and the install. I just covered the hitch ($270 total). Actually this turned into a 'secret warranty' with Acura corporate. Several folks pressed Acura on this and got the same deal.
If your manual has the old language, you should probably qualify.
And note, the manual states "towing" not "installing a hitch". It "requires" a cooler pkg for towing, but ONLY RECOMMENDS (text says "should") a cooler when a hitch is installed.
FYI, you can buy an Acura hitch without the coolers, you just need to be sly.
There was a HUGH volume of posts on this in Oct/Nov/Dec back on Edmunds. A bit here too, but over 30 days ago.
The important timing is what owners manual was delivered WITH the vehicle, (not when you read it or bought the hitch) (sorry crem)
Actually, ANY towing and acura can deny the warranty- then you get to sue them (or grovel at their mercy for papal dispensation.) So, don't take pictures with the boat on the back, and tell 'em its for a bike rack... technically you'll be within the legal language of the owners manual
Ard
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Since the bulletin is dated 4-17-01, and I got my car last December, it seems that I'm grandfathered (my manual has the old language) and I will press them to install free coolers if they make an issue of it.
Meanwhile, I'll be spray-painting the inside of the receiver before each trip to the dealer, in case I need to demonstrate how much use it gets!
Really, though, this is all very academic and I am certainly not worried about drivetrain problems given my severity level of towing. Curiously enough, ScottyB, my manual *does not* recommend towing while hauling seven adults!
Details of hitch installation posted in appropriate thread. |
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Crem;
I have to disagree that you think it is 'academic'.
Let's say you VTM4 drops outat 45k miles. You bring it in and they say, 'sorry, you have a hitch, you've been towing, the manual warns about towing, we're not gonna replace the tranny.'
You are screwed. Doesn't matter that you never towed (or only on Sundays to church). They hold the gold. Your recourse is court, were you'll spend 5k to file the suit.
Your only wiggle room will be iof your manual say 2500 lbs requires coolers. (In fact, I believe this is EXACTLY why they changed the spec- because it is impossible to discern who had been pulling over 2500 lbs!)
Oh, they won't 'make an issue of it' until you have a claim. I'd make an issue and try to get the free coolers now. (They're nice to have whether you tow anything or not.)
Ard |
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I guess I call it "academic" because of my confidence in the vehicle, and that my manual says it's O.K..
The registered gross weight of my trailer is 1000 pounds. They would be going out on a limb to suggest that I overload my trailer - they cannot presume I am doing something illegal to serve their case against me. Without some hard proof that I pulled something heavier, they would not have a case. (and they wouldn't get any, because I don't!)
If there were an issue, I would explain nicely that I was in compliance with the manual, and knew in my heart that only towing helium balloons to church on Sundays would never damage their fine product. Then I would make it clear that I had plenty of time on my hands, would like to make some new friends with the local media, and that it would be to their immense benefit to fix the problem, rather than to get into a pissing match with me - just ask Isuzu.
Free coolers are alluring, though. I have a feeling they may put them on if you pay for their hitch, but maybe not so if I drive in with a hitch already installed. The "secret warrantee" amounts to them selling a hitch in exchange for a little extra labor and some cheap parts. Has anyone out there had coolers put on without buying the hitch? |
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Crem;
You're covered by your manual delievered with the car,... er, truck. I don't think you'll be getting a new one in the mail :)
The hitch deal was pretty straightforward- $200 for the hitch plus one hour labor ($70) to install. I really don't think that Acura Corporate cared about the revenue for the dealership- Dealer billed them for the cooler kit plus 2 hours (or maybe 1.5, can't remember) for the cooler install. Dealership still makes their cut, Corporate pays same amount even if dealer GIVES away the hitch.
I was going to install the hitch myself, but I'd already just about twisted their arms off and decided just to let them do it. (Oh, and they trashed the bumper trip doing it...)
Don't know anyone who got the coolers 'after the fact'. Good luck-
Ard |
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